Cowling brace, 1 or 2 bolts?

After the bike fell over I could see that the cowling was out of line: slightly tilted to the right. Took the fairing off to see if maybe something was bent but all looked fine. Riding home a few days later the cowling started moving. The bolt fastening the cowling brace to the body frame had come loose. Now I hadn't touched that bolt when I took the fairing off so it must have worked loose by itself.

Interestingly the cowling was now level, but when I tightened up the bolt that pushed it out of line again.
Didn't have any Locktite left and a few days later sure enough the cowling started moving again. Completely removed the bolt today and noticed that there's a second hole lower down which has no bolt. But in my manual it only shows one bolt and no second hole.

Are there supposed to be two bolts?

As for the tilted cowling, put it level and then tightened it up again with some Locktite. Have no idea why but this time the cowling stayed level. Great that it's level again but hate not knowing why. Searched online and apparently others have had the same problem but nobody had figured out what was causing it.

By the way, Loctite now comes in gel form. Was way easier to use than the liquid.

Which Bandit?

Here's the GSF

Whilst only one bolt is shown on the schematic, the parts list show there are two (2007 GSF):

barry_mcki wrote:Whilst only one bolt is shown on the schematic, the parts list show there are two (2007 GSF):

could that mean one for each side ?

Thanks for the response.

That's the schematic I was looking at but didn't see any notes like you have.

At least now I know there are two bolts.

I ride the GSF1250SA.

I haven't had a chance to look at mine lately, but here is the frame schematic and a photo from when Sean Kelly was rebuilding my front end at Bathurst :




It appears that the cowling should have two nuts welded into a block that is then bolted (both on the same side) through a metal plated welded to the yoke housing.

But it does appear that even in my photo the top bolt is missing, I'll see if I can get a clear shot of this area tomorrow.

BTW these schematics are from Alpha Sports, a great site for parts identification and the odd purchase or two.

Above and beyond mate.

The top bolt is there on mine: assuming of course that the correct bolt has been used.

If I can I'll get some shots and upload them sometime this week.

Not overly concerned now that Loctites been added and the bolt tightened. I'd already been riding it for almost a year without anything happening. But definitely will be getting the additional bolt and putting it in soon as I can.

Ok if all else fails , go look ( now I see where you mean ) ...............................mine has 2 bolts ( 2010 gsf 1250 )

One of the local Suzuki dealers has the bolt for $2.65.

I'll drop by sometime this week buy it and at the same time take a look at the demo bikes again see what they have.

Here's a couple of photos.

" />

Yep , mine has both  

That would be strike two for the Suzuki dealer I bought the bike from.

Thanks for the confirmations, will definitely be getting two bolts today.

I'm thinking the one bolt has probably been overworked trying to do the job of two so to be on the safe side I'll replace it.

Yep, my 2009 has two bolts also.

Are there two bolts on the other side?

Ewok1958 wrote:Are there two bolts on the other side?

No the bolts are only on one side

SolomonKane wrote:That would be strike two for the Suzuki dealer I bought the bike from.

Thanks for the confirmations, will definitely be getting two bolts today.

I'm thinking the one bolt has probably been overworked trying to do the job of two so to be on the safe side I'll replace it.

Did you put the piece of webbing on to help hold it or something else , above the top bolt ? ( mine doesn't have that )

My 2011 has 2 bolts as well

paul wrote:Did you put the piece of webbing on to help hold it or something else , above the top bolt ? ( mine doesn't have that )

No Paul it's just one of the Bagster Tank Bag straps.

Called Oliver's Motorcycles today and ordered 2 of the bolts: $3.10 each.

None in stock, have to be shipped up from Melbourne. Should be here Thursday or Friday.